Which PRO School?

[PAT THE REF]

Thanks everyone.

[Durham]

Pat,

Both schools are very good and doing well at either will get you to the next step, as an equal number are sent to the evaluation course from each school. Harry's school has you work both camp games and innings in real games from what I have been told, and Jim's is all camp games, or controlled situations. So I would pick the one that better suits your learning style. They both have cage work and classroom time for mechanics and rules. I went to Jim's and loved it, but have friends that went to Harry's and loved it. So the right school is the one that is right for you. Good Luck!

[pingswinger]

I am going to Jim Evans in January. From all the professional umpires that I have talked to told me to go to Jim Evans. They told me there that the instructors care a lot more about making you better not just pushing you through, even if you are not there to get a job, they will work just as hard with you. I just graduated from college last week, which was something the instructors from Jim Evans suggested to me years ago. IF you were to get a job, having a college degree would expand your job opportunities in the offseason, so I would suggest that you complete the degree before going to pro school.

[BenedictArnold]

Both schools can help you acheive your goal if you are dedicated. Do not put any stock in one school's instructors caring more than the others. Both schools have a tremendous staff. The instructors are current professional umpires that are climbing through the ranks. Harry's has some MLB instructors, but that doesn't result in them wanting to push you through and not caring as mush as Jim's school. That is a load of crap.

I personally know instructors from both schools. Jim's is a little more emphasized on rules and Harry's a little more on the field. I think Jim's has over 600 rules test questions and Harry's around 250. Don't get caught up in the hype about which school to attend. Everyone is going to tell you to go to the one they went to. Try to find a guy that went to both. But try to keep things in perspective. When you are talking to someone, know what their goals were in attending school. If it was to get into pro ball, ask if they we selected. If not, you can bet that they will give a negative report on their time there...and vice versa.

Both Jim and Harry MiLB instructors are dedicated to training you. They travel down to umpire school each year because they believe in their profession. Do not believe a word of the comparisons betweenthe two instructors. Both school have the best teaching you. In the end, you will make it if you are good enough. Getting a college degree first is a sign that you are smart enough to realize the possibility of making it to MLB. But don't get blinded by the hype. That is my advice.

For the record, I went to neither Jim nor Harry's school. So don't think that I am contributing to the hype I am talking about. Bottom line...if you are good enough, both school will find you in their mix and send you to the evaluation course.

Best of luck!

BA

[JIGGY]

Email both Jimmy and Harry. They both will be more than willing to talk to you. The schools do have their differences (and no it isn't really true that Jim focuses more on rules and Harry mechanics- they both teach it all). I could tell you which one I would send my son to (if i had a son), but I think it is a decision you should make after talking to Jim and Harry (and any instructors you can get a hold of from either school). They all will be more than happy to talk to you about it.

[socalblue1]

Write the names down on slips of paper. toss in hat. close eyes & mix around. Pick one, go & work hard.